City of Carlsbad locking restrooms after hours to deter vandals

JESSICA ONSUREZ CURRENT-ARGUS
Public restroom facilities throughout the city will be experiencing new hours in an effort to cut down on the number of vandalism incidents that have occurred lately.

CARLSBAD >> On-the-go early morning joggers and late evening walkers will have to find another place to "go" soon.

In an effort to curb the vandalism that targets the city's public bathroom facilities, officials voted to lock them after hours.

City council members voted to approve a change in the contract with Ultra Clean Carpet and Janitorial Services who currently clean city facilities, to include lock and bolt services.

City administrator Steve McCutcheon said that there has been a rise in the number of vandalism incidents over the last 3 months. Vandals more often target the porcelain fixtures, which McCutcheon said is costing the city big bucks to replace.

JESSICA ONSUREZ CURRENT-ARGUS
City officials approved a contract with the same company that cleans the facility to temporarily lock and unlock the restrooms. The move was part of a strategy to curb vandalism of the faciliteis that officials said has risen in the last 3 months.

"The average cost to refurbish a single fixtures has been running about $800," said McCutcheon. Contracting Ultra Clean to perform lock and bolt services rather than use city workmen, will also cut costs he said.

"It costs less money and is more efficient than calling out city workers," said McCutcheon.

To mitigate the impact this has on residents who use those areas, McCutcheon said that port-a-potties have strategically placed in public areas, including the beach area which has been more heavily targeted for destruction.

He is hoping that replacing the vandalized fixtures with stainless steel will help deter the unknown vandals. The contract for locking services will run for at least another six months. At that point McCutcheon said the city will revisit the necessity of keeping the approximately 13 public rest room facilities locked.